Atticus was a showoff, and although he used his charm to play off his ego, it was quite evident by how he would casually mention the times he had been here or what privileges he had received and how special that made him.
He was the perfect person to dig for information from, but with every step, Lyla couldn't help but feel a little bit of regret following him.
This section of the den, though, had more rooms than she had anticipated; offices, private bars, gambling rooms, party rooms, and private rooms that gave her a not-so-appreciated view of people's naked asses.
Of course, there were those that Atticus avoided entirely; they needed to look into those.
During the walk, she had wondered if Lucien was still following, in an attempt to look behind, a firm don't you dare, gave her her answer. It was still weird, hearing his voice in her mind.
Atticus ended the tour by dragging her to a bar where they shared a drink, and she had to constantly insist that she needed to leave before he relented and walked her back to the booth.
"It was lovely meeting you, Laura. Thank you for indulging me."
"I should thank you, I didn't know the den had so much to offer," he smiled broadly, a hint of pride glimmering there
"Should I hope to see you again?"
"Here? Perhaps"
"How about somewhere else?"
"Are you asking me out?" Her smile was cheeky
"And if I am"
"Then I'd have to think about it."
The man reached into his pocket and took out a card, "Here."
"A party?"
"Yes, someone I know is holding one, and I would love it if you would join me."
Atticus placed a hand on her arm, noting the hesitation on her face, "You can bring your friends, the ones with you, if you'd like."
How generous, Lucien snickered
What do you think? Should I accept
It's a good chance he seems influential, so maybe we might meet some people of significance.
"Laura?" the male called
"Ah…"
If you're not comfortable, say no, you don't have to…
"Yes…I'll join you," she answered before she dared think twice
"Great. I'll see you then."
The man leaned in, pecking her cheek, "goodbye."
Her response was a small smile as the male left.
Lyla stared at the card even as she heard Lucien approach and stand beside her, peering down at it.
"Fancy," he said, his breath caressing her ears
"Know the place?"
"Yeah, only people with some heavy pockets have access to it."
"Lucky us," he chuckled, a pleasing sound that had her turning.
Big mistake, that placed his nose mere inches from hers. His eyes met hers, and this close, she couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of them; heavens, she could look into them for hours.
"Your eyes are beautiful," she stated subconsciously, "like the night sky, with stars and a crescent moon."
He moved abruptly, lifting his head and backing a step, brows furrowed, he looked down at her.
"What did you say?"
"What?"
"What did you say my eyes look like?"
"Like the night sky," she answered, confused, "what…why are you…"
"Nothing. Let's… Let's leave"
Without waiting, he stalked off, and she had to run to catch up
They met with Leo back in the inn, and throughout, Lucien hadn't said a thing, and neither did he before he left for his room. It puzzled her
It was when she was settling herself on the bed after a shower that she remembered a similar conversation she had back in her world.
Describe my eyes
They're an intense and dark shade of blue…they sparkle like there are little stars in them…What?
I'm just wondering why my eyes look like that to you.
Back then, Aeneas had been surprised and curious that she could see his real eyes. Did that mean…heavens, did that mean Lucien was also hiding what his real eyes looked like, and if that was the case, she just revealed she could see them. This would only make him even more suspicious of her, but maybe… maybe he'll just blame it on the fact that she's 'from Luminara'. She doubted it, though
Lyla never understood why she had always been able to do that, to see people's true eyes. Before, with Aeneas, they had assumed it was because she could see their world, then they thought it was a perk of being the chosen.
Now she wondered what it was about eyes that made her see past the illusion?
The thought lulled her to sleep.
The next day, they decided to get a hotel closer to where the party would be held. They needed to familiarize themselves with the surroundings, so as Lyla projected inside, Leo surveilled the outside while gathering information on the potential guests.
Later, they converged back to the room and laid out their findings. Nothing was alarming, but still, they planned
Lyla had the glorious role of hanging around Atticus, gaining as much information as she could from him. Leo was to spy, taking note of anyone or anything of interest. Lucien would do the same while playing the role of her bodyguard.
He had yet to mention their conversation; in fact, he acted so normally that she was tempted to believe it never happened.
"Okay, I guess that leaves us with what we have to wear," Lucien announced, sliding back to his chair.
Lyla turned to him
"Come on, don't tell me you didn't think of what you'll be wearing for the fancy party."
Well, she hadn't.
"You guys go and buy me something. I still have things to do." With that, Leo was gone
"Let's go shopping then."
*
Lyla had thought of running away thrice, and at one point, she had the intrusive thought of jumping in front of a passing carriage if only being trampled by horses would put a hold on this madness. They had been walking for hours…hours and yet Mr 'I know better' beside her hadn't found a dress he liked. Who knew the male was so picky
'If we're going to do this, you need something that keeps his attention, a dress that will make him spill everything, all in the name of wanting you.'
Lucien had stated. She didn't like hearing him say that. It was a reminder of how uncomfortable this whole thing made her, but he was right; they needed Atticus distracted.
"Please, Heavens, please let this be where he finds the dress of his dreams," she said, entering another boutique, and Lucien, walking in behind her, chuckled.
"Hey, don't blame me for your lack of taste."
She turned, scowling at him, ready to retort, when a woman interrupted
"Hello, welcome, I'm Suan, how may I help you?"
"We'd like to see one of your finest dresses," Lucien replied, eyes already surveying the ones on display.
"They're for you, I'm assuming," the woman addressed her. She simply nodded, "Follow me, I already have a few choices in mind."
*
"No..... no..... no," Lucien kept saying every time she walked out in another dress. Heavens save her
"This better be it, you picky princess, or I'm done," she said behind the curtains.
"Hey, it's not like I want to be doing this, it's not my fault you can't....."
His words trailed off as he beheld her standing before him.
Fuck